What is Museum Spaces
This is a blog for museum reviews done by me, Farmer, a museologist – a fancy name for someone who studies and/or works in museums. I have worked in museums in Canada and in the UK. Museum Spaces is all about inclusion and access. My reviews are all based on my in person visits to various institutions, I am disabled, but get by physically so my reviews regarding mobility access may not be as accurate as a wheelchair user. When possible I will consult with a wheelchair user, or someone who uses any mobility aid.
Because museums are more than just access I can also post non-review content about museums and museum practices. Museologist Notes focus on accessibility and best practices for small institutions that lack funding. They are informed by seminars, discussions with other professionals, and my own work in small institutions.
A bit about me:
Hello, I am Farmer, a museologist and historian with a passion for creating accessible museum spaces for as wide a public audience as I can. To help me do this, I review museums as a visitor and also write up guides to help museums wishing to expand their access.
I am in my 30s, Canadian, and educated in the UK, which is to say that I am an advocate for SPECTRUM standards, speak English, and little else. I see myself as a student in perpetuity and my next goal is a Masters degree in Archaeology before heading to a Doctoral degree in my future. To that end I have been in contact with various archaeologists over the past few years and have begun teaching myself Greek. I am, by no means, a polyglot but I believe it is worth the effort to try. As a perpetual student, I travel for my work. I take work at any museum that will have me to expand my experiences and knowledge base. This means I have worked in various small museums across Canada and am always willing to apply for visas to work in new exciting places. I am happy to consult with your institution about access or other topics discussed here.
Why Museum Spaces?
Museum Spaces is a place for me to explore accessibility and document my museological journey from my first internship at the Royal Ontario Museum to managing the museum at Lillooet post COVID. Due to said pandemic, this website has been on pause for some time. Though its associated social media has maintained momentum and following over that time. It also means that the strict focus on reviews had to be paused. I am still not at a point where I can regularly visit museums that are not my place of employment and, I am sure you would agree, reviewing my employer could call biases into question.
There is a section of this website dedicated to my portfolio – the non-access work inside various institutions I have completed from inventory projects to learning programs.
What Else?
If you want to know more I can be found on Tumblr: Museum-Spaces. I am not the most savvy with social media but I am active on this site so drop me a line.
I have a patreon to support Museum Spaces, if you enjoy my content or see a value in it please follow the link and pledge!
If you are a museum worker and want a consultation please use the contact page linked above.